The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will stock 117 lakes throughout the state in April and May of 2012 with large triploid rainbow trout. They will weigh an average of 1.5 pounds each, with no single fish being less than one pound in weight. These trout, purchased by WDFW from a contracted private grower, are sterile rainbows that are voracious feeders and have the potential to grow to trophy size if not harvested the first season after stocking.

Large triploid trout stocking is just one component of the overall trout stocking program that WDFW uses to create lowland lake trout opportunities across the state. District Fish Biologists use purchased triploids in combination with fry plants, put-and-take catchables, and large WDFW-produced rainbow trout, depending on the specific management goal of each lake, and the availability of hatchery fish.

A total of 34,977 triploid trout will be stocked in mid April, close to the April 28th lowland lakes fishing season opening day. In May, an additional 12,339 triploids will be stocked into 40 lakes to provide additional big-fish opportunities. This will bring the total for this spring to 47,000 1.5 pound fish.

Overall, the list of lakes proposed for stocking in 2012 is similar to the 2011 plan, with a few changes to enhance specific fishing opportunities, and to augment lakes that were rehabilitated last fall.